Meat Institute asks USTR to continue to work on meat trade barriers

The Meat Institute recently provided comments that called on the Trump administration to build upon the America First Trade Policy agenda seen in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Southeast Asia by continuing to address the remaining significant barriers to trade in markets important for the meat and poultry industry.

The trade association submitted comments in response to the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) “Request for Comments on Significant Foreign Trade Barriers for the 2026 National Trade Estimate Report.”

“Exports add value to every animal produced and in turn increase demand for US corn and soybeans,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of the Meat Institute. “For example, on average, pork exports contribute $64 in value to each hog that is marketed in the US and US beef exports yield more than $400 in value per head of cattle. Consequently, the resilience of the US meat and poultry industry is inextricably linked to US trade policy and attendant initiatives that foster US meat and poultry export growth.”

Potts added the meat industry export potential remains limited by unjustified sanitary barriers, prohibitive tariffs and tariff rate quotas, and onerous registration and approval requirements for exporting facilities, along with other impediments.

In its comments The Meat Institute cited the following issues as barriers to US meat and poultry market growth:

- China Continues to Renege on Commitments Made in the US / China Phase One Agreement

- China’s Retaliatory Sect. 232 and 301 Retaliatory Tariffs on US Meat Exports Constrain Growth

- Despite Progress, Persistent Regulations Impede US Beef and Pork Exports to Taiwan